Management Science

1-1. What is the difference between management and management science?

Management and management science both try to optimize all the available resources, but they have one major difference, management science can not account for the unpredictable human element. Management science uses a scientific method approach to decision making which gives precise solutions to problems, but these solutions can not take into account that sometimes humans do not always make rational decisions. The ability to deal with this unpredictability is the biggest difference between management science and management.

1-2. What is the relationship between management science and the broad area of management?

Management science uses mathematics and a scientific approach to management to help improve the decision making process. This approach tries to give management the most precise solution to the problem at hand through the use of a scientific method. This method has steps: define the problem, collect data, develop hypotheses, test hypotheses, analyze results, and draw a conclusion. These steps allow for a systematic approach to the decision making process that management can use to find the most rational solution to the problem.

1-3. I had to reorder more janitorial supplies for the shop today and decided to check on what we paid for the supplies previously and see if there was a cheaper alternative available. I basically used the scientific method to break down my decision.

1. Where to order additional janitorial supplies for shop maintenance closet.

2. Pulled previous supply invoice then checked for other available suppliers

3. There potentially might be a more cost effective supply solution

4. Cross checked old prices verses new available supplier's prices

5. Results showed more cost effective suppliers are available

6. Found most cost effective supplier with same quality products

1-4. What makes management an art or a science?

Management is not an art, nor is it a science, it is both. Management combines the use of behavioral and systemic approaches. It combines the use of management science and its scientific approach with a behavioral approach that focuses on the unpredictable elements of management, human and other resources.

1-5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the scientific method?

The main advantage of the scientific method is its ability to mathematically and scientifically find the most precise solution to any problem that management may face. The main draw back to this method is its inability to recognize and account for the unpredictable elements that management faces in its decision-making processes.

1-6. Contrast the normative and descriptive theories of decision-making.

Normative and descriptive theories of decision-making relate to the behavioral aspect of management. The normative theory is the concept of how rational decisions ought to be made. The descriptive theory is concerned with the concept of how decisions are made.

1-7. What is the relationship between management science and the systems approach?

Management science is directly related to the systems approach. The systems approach looks for the best feasible solution to the organization as a whole. This causes managers to take the solution provided through management science and analyze its effect on the organization and all of the elements that make up that organization.

1-9. "Management science is not a panacea for management problems, but it is the best medicine we have."

This statement to me is basically saying that even though management science, just like all other methods, is not perfect but it still provides feasible solutions to help management with the decision making process.

1-10. Discuss